Granato Moves Up, Vigneault Extended
May 22nd, 2008 by Jason ChenSurprisingly, Tony Granato has been named head coach of the Avs, rather than the much rumoured Patrick Roy. Granato was coach from 2002-04, compiling a very impressive record, before stepping down to assistant coach as Joel Quenneville took over.
Granato’s reign has head coach was marked by the Steve Moore controversy and the apparent friction between him and the star players, but was able to compile a winning record nonetheless. The Avs will have a much more different look to them than in 2004, and it will be an uphill climb for Granato, as the Avs are no longer the powerhouses they once were, but merely playoff contenders. When Joe Sakic retires, and that may be as soon as this summer, Granato will have a real challenge in front of him.
Despite assistant coaches Barry Smith and Mike Kelly being fired, Alain Vigneault has been rewarded with an extension that goes into 2012. It is not surprising that changes would be made from top to bottom within the organization, but I find it rather weird that Vigneault was not let go. From what I gather, Mike Gillis wants a more offensive-minded team, and with a defense-first head coach, I wonder how he will manage to do that. Even if he brings in two offensive-minded assistants, Vigneault still has final say as a head coach. If Gillis is convinced that Vigneault can turn the corner and make this team more dynamic offensively, what makes him think Kelly and Smith couldn’t?
Vigneault’s extension could also very well mean the end of Markus Naslund’s career in Vancouver, who has noted in interviews that he would much prefer to play for a puck possession team like Detroit. Of course, Naslund has been strongly linked to Pavol Demitra, who was given a tour of Vancouver by Naslund earlier this month. Perhaps Gillis has managed to convince Naslund that Vigneault is willing and can implement an effective offensive-style. Either that or Naslund’s gone.
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